Updated | Missing for two days, fisherman found alive

Mario Axiaq, 58 from Zabbar, was located by the Armed Forces of Malta this morning. He was found alive and has been transferred to Mater Dei Hospital.

The AFM told MaltaToday that Axiaq was located at 45 nautical miles north east of Malta. He was spotted by the AFM's King Air aircraft and a passing mercantile ship was ordered to divert its course towards Axiaq's 13-foot boat.

The mercantile ship took him on board and offered him water until an Italian military mission helicopter picked him up.

Axiaq is reported to be in relatively good health.

The rescue mission was coordinated with Italian forces.

Axiaq was reported missing by his family last Wednesday when he failed to return home. He had left home early in the morning but never went back.

Since then, the AFM have been conducting their search, only stopping during the night and resuming in the early morning.